One day in 2015, Vishal Mangra was riding his bicycle along the roadway at Enterprise, East Coast Demerara, when suddenly, another cyclist crashed into him. When he tried to stand, he realised that his right foot was “hanging on”. It was an experience which completely changed his life; one that also made him realise that he possesses an artistic touch.
Mangra, who is a father of one, discovered that he can paint and conceptualise high quality paintings while his foot healed and according to him, while the foot is still healing, his artistic skills are now being recognised.
Prior to the accident, he did various jobs, including a stint at Bakewell as well as a goldsmith. But his family was involved in the food catering business and one day his mother decided to pass on the reigns of the business to him. “We would sell burgers and doubles and juices in the village,” he said.
Then came the 2015 accident. He remembers it like it was yesterday. He said he was heading on an errand when the other cyclist crashed into him. “I get up and I said boy you break my foot,” he recalled, and according to him, it was a reality which he had to adapt to. “This thing painful, and right now it still would pain,” he said.
Mangra suffered the fracture above the ankle, and at one point, steel was placed in his foot. He said he did three surgeries on the foot and a grafted procedure was undertaken on the foot but he noted that there are two holes above the point of impact which has been paining him.
He said the doctor is trying his best to ensure his foot heals and according to Mangra, while the foot may be hampering him from normal physical activities, it has allowed him to develop his artistic skills. He said previously, he would do sketches but never followed up on the talent.
Then in 2017, two years following the accident, he decided to give painting a try.
He works with oil and acrylic paints, painting some highly impressive pieces including replicas of the St George’s Cathedral, a scenic view of Paruima village and the Stabroek Market. Mangra said he started by painting on plywood before graduating to canvas. He said he dabs in portraits but those can be challenging. The easier ones, in his words, are the landscape paintings.
According to Mangra, the size of his paintings ranges from two feet by two feet and 40 inches in length by 27 inches in width and the price for his paintings vary according to size. He said he only recently received some buzz when a pandit recognised his art and posted it on social media. Prior to this, he would hang his paintings at the snackette which he and his wife operates at a junction at Enterprise, ECD.
While she is selling at the food business, he paints and he noted that he spends as much as 4 hours some days on a painting. In addition, he noted that some paintings can take as much as 4 weeks to be completed but at the end of it, he is usually very satisfied with his work. “I had to do something to occupy myself and painting is what I enjoy,” he added.
He said that he has received rave reviews for his paintings, and while he is not the boastful type, persons have noted the high quality of his paintings. According to Mangra, he is a fan of Bob Ross, the famous American painter. He sometimes tries mixing a few of his own skills with advice from Bob’s videos which he would peruse from time to time on YouTube.
As regards his injured foot, Mangra said he is currently following the advice of his doctor but he noted that if anyone or any organisation would like to offer additional advice to him on how to get back on his feet, he would be most grateful. “I thank the Almighty for showing me a light,” Mangra said of his newly discovered skill.
Anyone who wishes to contact Mangra can call him on mobile number 641-9949 or his landline on 229-6412.
